Actress 'bummed' after Spider-Man axe

Los Angeles - Shailene Woodley is "bummed" after being cut from The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

The actress was due to play the web-slinging superhero's iconic love interest Mary Jane Watson in the highly anticipated action sequel, but director Marc Webb revealed earlier this week he has decided to drop the character in order to "streamline" the story.

In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Shailene said: "Of course I'm bummed. But I'm a firm believer in everything happening for a specific reason.

"Based on the proposed plot, I completely understand holding off on introducing [Mary Jane] until the next film."

Divergent

Webb said he wanted to focus on the earlier romance between Spider-Man's alter-ego Peter Parker - played by Andrew Garfield - and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy, which took place prior to him meeting flame-haired Mary Jane.

He said earlier this week: "I made a creative decision to streamline the story and focus on Peter and Gwen and their relationship. Shailene is an incredibly talented actress and while we only shot a few scenes with Mary Jane, we all love working with her."

The filmmaker confirmed Mary Jane will instead make her debut in The Amazing Spider-Man 3 - which is due for release in 2016 - but multiple sources claim Woodley is unlikely to play the part and it will be recast.

Woodley is set to lead a franchise of her own next year in Divergent, which is based on a popular series of young adult novels. The film has already been confirmed for a sequel ahead of its release.

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